San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro has been an outspoken advocate for immigration reform.

San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro has been an outspoken advocate for immigration reform.

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Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro arrives to introduce President Barack Obama at Central High School, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015, in Phoenix, about the recovering housing sector. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) less

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro arrives to introduce President Barack Obama at Central High School, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015, in Phoenix, about the recovering housing sector. (AP ... more

Photo: Carolyn Kaster, Associated Press

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Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro introduces Vice President Joe Biden at a housing development conference Tuesday, April 7, 2015 in Washington.

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro introduces Vice President Joe Biden at a housing development conference Tuesday, April 7, 2015 in Washington.

Photo: Connor Radnovich

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Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Burwell (right) and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro (left) join a roundtable discussion with people who have enrolled in health insurance at CentroMed on Friday, Feb. 13, 2015. To date, over 1 million have enrolled in the state and 94,166 San Antonians have enrolled for insurance according to Secretary Burwell. The deadline for enrollment this year is on Feb. 15. (Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News) less

Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Burwell (right) and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro (left) join a roundtable discussion with people who have enrolled in health insurance ... more

Former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro puts on a Fox Tech T-shirt at Fox Tech High School during a brief rally in November 2012 celebrating the school's designation as a National Blue Ribbon School. It was one of 269 nationwide. less

Former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro puts on a Fox Tech T-shirt at Fox Tech High School during a brief rally in November 2012 celebrating the school's designation as a National Blue Ribbon School. It was one ... more

San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, left, and brother Joaquin Castro stand at the podium during preparations for the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on September 2, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The DNC that will start on September 4 and run through September 7, will nominate U.S. President Barack Obama as the Democratic presidential candidate. less

San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, left, and brother Joaquin Castro stand at the podium during preparations for the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on September 2, 2012 in Charlotte, ... more

Photo: Joe Raedle, Getty Images

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CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 02: San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro stands on stage during preparations for the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on September 2, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The DNC that will start on September 4 and run through September 7, will nominate U.S. President Barack Obama as the Democratic presidential candidate. less

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 02: San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro stands on stage during preparations for the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on September 2, 2012 in Charlotte, North ... more

Photo: Streeter Lecka, Getty Images

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San Antonio, Texas Mayor Julian Castro talks to reporters at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012. The mayor will give the keynote speech at the DNC.

San Antonio, Texas Mayor Julian Castro talks to reporters at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012. The mayor will give the keynote speech at the DNC.

Photo: Jae C. Hong, Associated Press

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San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, left, who will be the convention keynote speaker, and his twin brother, state Rep. Joaquin Castro, who is running for U.S. Congress, are interviewed at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Sept. 3, 2012. less

San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, left, who will be the convention keynote speaker, and his twin brother, state Rep. Joaquin Castro, who is running for U.S. Congress, are interviewed at the Democratic National ... more

Photo: Charles Dharapak, Associated Press

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San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, left, who will be the convention keynote speaker, and his twin brother, state Rep. Joaquin Castro, who is running for U.S. Congress, are interviewed at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Sept. 3, 2012. less

San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, left, who will be the convention keynote speaker, and his twin brother, state Rep. Joaquin Castro, who is running for U.S. Congress, are interviewed at the Democratic National ... more

Photo: Charles Dharapak, Associated Press

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Mayoral candidate Julian Castro smiles after announcing his runoff election against Phil Hardberger at his campaign headquarters in the evening on Saturday, May 7, 2005. Castro was leading the early voting with 39 percent of the votes. less

Mayoral candidate Julian Castro smiles after announcing his runoff election against Phil Hardberger at his campaign headquarters in the evening on Saturday, May 7, 2005. Castro was leading the early voting with ... more

Councilman Julian Castro, center, candidate for San Antonio mayor, addresses the crowd Tuesday, June 7, 2005, in San Antonio at Castro's campaign headquarters. At left is his girlfriend, Erica Lira, and at right is his twin brother, Joaquin. Retired state judge Phil Hardberger held a narrow lead over Castro late Tuesday in the mayoral runoff. less

Councilman Julian Castro, center, candidate for San Antonio mayor, addresses the crowd Tuesday, June 7, 2005, in San Antonio at Castro's campaign headquarters. At left is his girlfriend, Erica Lira, and at ... more

Photo: BAHRAM MARK SOBHANI, AP

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San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, left, and his brother, state Rep. Joaquin Castro give an interview during preparations for the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on Sept. 3, 2012 in Charlotte, N.C. less

San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, left, and his brother, state Rep. Joaquin Castro give an interview during preparations for the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on Sept. 3, 2012 in ... more

Photo: Streeter Lecka, Getty Images

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In the eye of the camera: Julian Castro.

In the eye of the camera: Julian Castro.

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Mayor Castro answers reporters' questions at the Democratic National Convention.

Mayor Castro answers reporters' questions at the Democratic National Convention.

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Julian Castro at a Democratic National Committee session.

Julian Castro at a Democratic National Committee session.

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Julian Castro addresses the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO).

Julian Castro addresses the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO).

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Julian Castro (in the blue tie) shakes hands with President Obama on July 17. The San Antonio mayor is flanked by his twin brother Joaquin.

Julian Castro (in the blue tie) shakes hands with President Obama on July 17. The San Antonio mayor is flanked by his twin brother Joaquin.

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President Obama walks from Air Force One with Texas State Rep. Joaquin Castro, his twin brother the mayor and Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, upon his arrival for a fundraising visit to San Antonio on July 17.

President Obama walks from Air Force One with Texas State Rep. Joaquin Castro, his twin brother the mayor and Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, upon his arrival for a fundraising visit to San Antonio on July 17.

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San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro gives the keynote address at the Texas Democratic Convention in Houston on June 8.

San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro gives the keynote address at the Texas Democratic Convention in Houston on June 8.

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Julian Castro easily won a second term as mayor.

Julian Castro easily won a second term as mayor.

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Julian Castro smiles as an audience applauds him.

Julian Castro smiles as an audience applauds him.

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Democrats view Julian Castro as a future star of the national party.

Democrats view Julian Castro as a future star of the national party.

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Mayor Castro is considered one of his party's best political orators.

Mayor Castro is considered one of his party's best political orators.

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Joaquin Castro left, introduces his twin brother and San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro during the the 2012 Texas Democratic Party State Convention at the George R. Brown Convention Center Friday, June 8, 2012, in Houston. less

Joaquin Castro left, introduces his twin brother and San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro during the the 2012 Texas Democratic Party State Convention at the George R. Brown Convention Center Friday, June 8, 2012, in ... more

Photo: James Nielsen, Chronicle

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Democratic Congressional Candidate Joaquin Castro speaks prior to introducing his twin brother and San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro during the the 2012 Texas Democratic Party State Convention at the George R. Brown Convention Center Friday, June 8, 2012, in Houston. less

Democratic Congressional Candidate Joaquin Castro speaks prior to introducing his twin brother and San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro during the the 2012 Texas Democratic Party State Convention at the George R. ... more

Photo: James Nielsen, Chronicle

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Texas Governor Rick Perry, right, talks with San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro after the United Negro College Fund South Texas Governor's Luncheon at the Grand Hyatt, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012. The event is a fundraiser for UNCF. The Governor's Luncheon in Dallas last September raised over $185,000. less

Texas Governor Rick Perry, right, talks with San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro after the United Negro College Fund South Texas Governor's Luncheon at the Grand Hyatt, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012. The event is a ... more

Mayor Julian Castro chats with dignitaries prior to the grand opening and dedication of the Chabad Center for Jewish Life and Learning Sunday afternoon.

Mayor Julian Castro chats with dignitaries prior to the grand opening and dedication of the Chabad Center for Jewish Life and Learning Sunday afternoon.

Photo: For The San Antonio Express-News

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The Torah's are carried into the sanctuary of the Chabad Center for Jewish Life and Living during its grand opening and dedication Sunday afternoon.

The Torah's are carried into the sanctuary of the Chabad Center for Jewish Life and Living during its grand opening and dedication Sunday afternoon.

Photo: For The Express-News

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Mayor Castro to join Obama immigration reform push

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WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is calling on Texans such as Mayor Julián Castro to push a bipartisan Senate immigration reform bill as lawmakers schedule votes on the contentious legislation Tuesday.

A White House event to showcase support for the immigration reform legislation will feature high-profile backers such as the San Antonio mayor and Sheriff Adrian Garcia of Houston, the first Latino to be elected sheriff in Harris County.

A congressional source close to the mayor said Castro was expected to be in Washington on Monday for the White House event.

Castro has been an outspoken advocate for immigration reform, appearing at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., last year, where he invoked the path of his grandmother, Victoria, who as an orphan emigrated from Mexico to the United States in the 1920s.

The mayor also testified before the House Judiciary Committee this year, endorsing proposals that would eventually allow the 11 million people here illegally to earn citizenship.

The White House event coincides with Senate parliamentary votes on the bill. Proponents of the bill say the Senate could vote on final passage by the July 4 recess.

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“Over the next three weeks, senators will propose a number of ideas to make the legislation better; some will propose ideas that make the legislation worse,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

But Reid said the legislation under consideration “is the best chance in many, many years” to improve the nation's immigration system.

The last time Congress overhauled the nation's immigration laws was in 1986, when President Ronald Reagan signed into law a bill that granted 3 million people legal status and the ability to become citizens.

Citizenship remains at the heart of the 2013 bill. Four Republicans and four Democrats wrote the bipartisan bill to grant eventual citizenship to the estimated 11 million immigrants in the country illegally.

But the bill requires a 13-year process that includes payment of fines and penalties and a clear criminal record before permanent legal immigrants could receive citizenship.

In addition to citizenship, the bill calls for $4.5 billion to upgrade technology and provide more federal manpower to secure the border and enforcement immigration laws.

“If we are going to truly fix a broken system, we need Congress to act in a comprehensive way,” Obama said in his weekly radio address.

The Senate bill includes not only citizenship, but increased visas for farmworkers, high-skilled employees and laborers for other industries.

The bipartisan bill is a carefully crafted compromise agreed to by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as well as the AFL-CIO.

Still, the bill faces opponents who have vowed to rewrite the legislation through amendments.

Sen. John Cornyn, R-San Antonio, said he would propose an amendment that would require the U.S.-Mexico border to be 100 percent secure before citizenship could be offered.

Cornyn said we need to “send a message that the border is now secure.”

Immigration reform is expected to face even larger political hurdles in the GOP-led House, where Republican leaders say they will take a slower, piecemeal approach.